Switch stand for operating switches and signals



Jan. 12 1926. 1,569,333

H. c. ODENKIRK SWITCH STAND FOR OPERATING SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Filed April 25, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Jug. 1.

H. C. ODENKIRK SWITCH STAND FOR OPERATING SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Jan. 12" 1926.

Filed April 25, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L1. A/ /i'Il 29 so t-.9

Jan. 12 1926. 1,569,333

H. .C. ODENKIRK v SWITCH STAND FOR OPERATING SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Filed April 25 925 3 Sheets-Sheet 15 la d, Qtbocuu Patented Jan. 12, 1926.

HARRY O. ODENKIRK,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SWITCH STAND FO R OPERATING SWITCHES AND SIGNALS.

' Application filed April 25, 1925. Serial no. 25,722.

To all whom e't may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY. G.'ODENKIRK, a citizen of the llnitedStates, residing at Cleveland, inthe countyof Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Switch Stands for Operating Switches and Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a switch stand for railways, and novel and improved means cpnnected therewith especially designed for simultaneously throwing a switch opera ating a signal connectedwith said stand.

The prime object of the invention is to provide simple,- economical, durable and thoroughly efficient means possessing the requisite strength for. properly shifting the switch points, and at the same time operating the desiredrailway signal. 7 '7 Another object of the invention isto provide means for the properand effective protection of the operative mechanism from exposure to the weather and the accumulation of dirt or other foreign matter. 1 g 7 Further objects of the invention are to so construct my novel mechanism that positive means for simultaneously operating both a switch and signal is enclosed within a single casting; to furnish an adjustable connecting bar secured at one end to the main switch bar by a breakable pin, and at its other end to a rod connecting with the switch points,

and to provideautomatic locking devices of novel construction for the switch lever.

It is a well known factthat trains occasionally. trail through a switch when the .ame is locked in closed position, which always results in breaking or seriously damaging the switch point rails, hence it is desin able to provide at some suitable point in the switch connections a comparatively easy breakable piece, which I have accomplished by the use of an inexpensive, easily breakable pin for securing the adjustable bar to the mainswitch bar, said pin being capable of easy removal, when broken, in order that a duplicate pin can be substitutedand the connections thus be restored to their normal condition, thereby avoiding an expensive and damaging effect to the switch points and heir connections, and constituting both a reliable and'an economical construction.

The foregoing and such other objects as may appear from the ensuing description are accomplished by the construction, arrangement, location and combination of the several parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that slight changes in the precise form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification it will be seen that Figure 1' is a plan View of'the improved and novel means embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan partly in section show ing the switch stand proper with the operating lever and main switch-bar broken away.

Figure 3 is a section taken inthe plane of the dotted line 3-3, Fig. 2. a

*Figure 4 is a section taken in the plane of the dotted line 44, Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a detail artly in side elevation and partly in sectionshowing the adjustable bar connected at one end to; the main switch bar and at its other end to a rod connected to a bar leading to the switch points (not shown) b Figure 6 is a top plan of the main switch- Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same. Figure 8 is an end elevation of the switch lever locking device.

Figure 9, is a side elevation showing the switch lever in its locked position.

Figure lOis a side elevation showing the locking device in unlocked position.

Figure 11 is a detail plan showing the a m for operating the signal shaft.

Figure 12 is aside elevation of the same, and p Figure 13 is an elevation of the breakable pin employed for connecting the main switch bar to the adjustable bar.- .In the, embodiment of my invention as illustrated, the numeral 1 designates the switch stand proper which may be suitably and fixedly secured to the extended ends of the usual railway ties 2, said stand being preferably formed of two pieces, the main piece or casting forming a casing 3 with a side extension 4, and within said casing and protected thereby are the main operating n1 no switch and signal. operating cam 6, to which end is fixedly secured the weighted switch lever 6, while the other end of the casing is closed by an end cap 7, which is suitably and fixedly secured to the casing and is formed with a central recess forming a hearing within the inner face for the reception of the journalled portion 8 at the other end of the said cam, and adjacent to the end of said portion 8 within the end cap is formed a chamber, which is closed by the outer face of the cap 7, said cap havng an opening formed there-through leading to the chamber for the reception of a lubricant, said cap 7 thus constituting an oil cell for lubricating purposes and forn'iing a closure for the end of the operating cam and casing.

It will be perceived that the operating cam 6 is provided with two separate and distinct peculiarly formed grooves 10 and 11, each of said grooves being of a different formation, so that while the groove 1.0 into which the roller 12 is fitted, said roller being secured to the main switch operating bar 12, causes the cam to travel a. half revolution by the throw of the weighted operating lever 6, the groove 11 to which the rounded end 13 of the signal operating arm M is fitted causes a half revolution of the cam by the throw of said lever 6, but only a quarter revolution is imparted to the signal shaft 15, this resulting from the peculiar and special formation of the cam, and its two grooves into which the positive operating connections for both the switch and signal are fitted.

The main switch stand slidably operated bar 12 consists-of a single piece of steel having an even surface formed with an opening 16 therethrough near its outer end for the reception of a breakable connecting pin for securing to said outer end an adjustable bar 19 formed of a single piece of able metal having a yoked inner end encircling the outer end of the bar 12" and with a central opening 21 for the re ception of said bar, while its outer end terinmates with a circular portion having an internally threaded portion adapted to receive the inner threaded end 23 of a rod 24:, the other end of said rod being suitably secured to the bar 25, the latter leading to a 'l suitably secured to the usual switch s (not shown).

will be understood that the central opening 21 formed in the ad stable bar 19 urrreas as a bearing surface for the outer end of the main swnc bar 12, thus allowing sufficient area for the outward movement of said bar when the pin 18 is broken and the switch points shall have been sh fted to the extreme position for the tqain to pass through the switch.

It will be seen that by means of the adjustable bar having a screw threaded -interior which is connected to the screw threaded end of the rod 24, the switch points with relation to the track rails may be safely, quickly and easily adjusted and regulated so that their proper position with respect to the track rails can be fully assured. and when properly adjusted may be fixedly secured in adjusted position by the lock nut 24:.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 13 the breakable hollow or tubular pin 18 is provided intermediate its length with two grooves or recesses 26 which are machined around the tubular pin in horizontal alinement with the outer end of the main switch bar 12, said pin normally possessing all the desired and required strength for the usual operation of shifting the switch points, yet said grooves or recesses serve to so weaken the pin that the portion of said pin located between the grooves or recesses will be sheared off thus severing the pin by the outer end of the bar 12, when the'connection is subjectedto the undue strain caused by a train running through the switch at an unauthorized moment or when the switch points are not properly set. The pin 18 is provided with an opening27 near its lower end for the reception of a cotter pin or other suitable means to prevent its accidental removal.

The signal operating. arm 14, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, is formed at one end with a square opening 14 therethrough which end extends into a recess formed in the eX- tension 4 of the switch stand, and is secured to the signal shaft 28, thereby parting a positive movement to the signal, while the rounded other end 13 of said arm is fitted within the groove 11, as hereinbefore referred to.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seenthat the main switch bar 12' is adapted to slidably pass entirely through the openings formed at either end of the switch stand base at the lower end portion thereof, and through an opening formed intermediate the length of said bar isfixedly secured a pin 29 having a lock nut 30 riveted thereto at one end in contact with the lower face of the bar 12, the other end of said pin 29 being provided with a roller 12, which roller is fitted within the groovp 10 formed in the operating cam, said roller 12 being fitted in the groove 10 at the lower portion of said cam and stand, while the rounded end 13 of the operating arm of the signal is fitted in the groove 11, at one side of the cam and switch stand.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 will be seen my novel means for locking the switch points into their properly shifted positions, said means comprising a casting 31 having a base portion 32, an upright portion 33 formed witha central U-shaped.

recess or opening for the reception-of the weighted switch lever 6, said casting being-fixedly secured toone of the railway ties, and at the upperend of the casting at one side thereof is formed a lateral ,extension 34 formed with-an opening therethrough for the reception of an ordinary padlock 35, and pivotally secured to one side of the casting at its upper'end is a yoke shaped weighted latch member 36 normally resting with its upperend 37 extending within and overhanging the upper end of the U-shaped opening, so thatwhen the switch lever 6 is shifted over and enters,

said opening the weight of the lever will force the latch to one side until the lever is seated on the casting at the lower end of the opening, when the weighted end of saidyoke latch member will cause the latch to immediately shift by gravity into the position shown in Fig. 9 into which position the lever latch and switch lever are securely locked by means of the padlock. In horizontal alincment with the casting-31 and secured to another tie is a rest 39 for the switch lever, such as shown in Fig. 1. If desired the switch leverlocking means may be employed to lock the lever in both of its shifted positions.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is i 1. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comprising a casting formed with a casing, an oscillating cam supported with in the casing, said cam being formed with two separate and distinct spirally disposed grooves, means fitted within and actuated by one of the grooves for operating the switch bar, means fitted within and actuated by the other groove for operating the signal, and means for oscillating said cam.

2. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comprising a casting formed with a casing, an oscillating cam journalled within the casing, said cam being formed with two separate and spirally disposed grooves therein, means fitted within and actuated by one groove for operating the switch bar, means fitted within and actuated by the other cam groove for operating the signal, said means being entirely enclosed within the casting, and means for oscillating said cam.

3. In a combined switch stand and signal, the combination with the switch-bar and signal operating mechanism, of a casing inclosing said operating mechanism, and formed with an integral hollow extension at one side thereof, and a removable cap for said casing formed with an oil chamber therein, and an opening therethrough leading to said chamber.

a. In a combined switch stand and signal,

the combination with-the switch-bar and signal operating mechanism, of a casing inclosing said operating mechanism, and

closing one end of the casing, said cap-being formed with a centrally disposed oil cell therein, and an oil filling opening therethrough leading to said cell.

5. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comprising. a casing, an oscillating cam formed with two grooves therein-sup ported within the casing, means connected with one of the grooves atthe lower portion of the cam for operating .the switch bar, means connected with the other groove at one side of the cam and inclined within the casing for operating the signal, and means for oscillating said cam.

6. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comp-rising a casing, an oscillating cani formed with two grooves supported within the casin a switch bar slidably disposed within t e casing and connected with one of said grooves, an adjustable bar connected to the outer end of the switch bar, a breakable pin forconnecting said bars, means within the casing and connected with the other cam groove for operating the signal, and means for oscillating said cam.

7. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comprising a casing, an oscillating cam formed with two grooves supportedwithin the casing, a switch bar having a pin and roller connected thereto, said roller bein fitted in one of said grooves, an adjuStableIar connected to the outer end of the switch bar, a breakable pin weakened intermediate its length for connecting said bars, means within the casing and fitted within the other cam groove for operating the signal, and means for oscillating the cam.

8. A combined switch stand and signal for railways, comprising :a. casing, an oscillating cam provided with two grooves supported within the casing, a slidable switch bar passing through the casing and provided with a roller fitted within one of the cam grooves, anadjustable bar connected to the outer end of the switch bar, a breakable pin for connecting said bars, a lock nut securing the adjustable bar in its adjusted position, means within the casing fitted to the other cam groove for operating the signal, and means for oscillating said cam.

9. In a combined switch stand and signal for railways, a casting formed withacasing, in combination with an oscillating cam formed with two grooves therein mounted within the casing, a switch bar connected with one of the cam grooves, an adjustable bar formed with a yoke and central opening at one end and interiorly threaded at its other end, a screw-threaded rod connected with one end of the adjustable rod, a breakable pin connecting the said bars, means for locking the adjustable bar in its adjusted position, means within the casing connected with the other cam groove for operating the signal, and means for oscillating said cam.

10. In a combined switch stand and signal for railways, the combination with a. casting formed with a casing, of an oscillating cam mounted within the casing, said cam being formed with two separate spirally disposed grooyes, means fitted within the grooves of the cam and operated thereby for actuating a switch and signal, a lever for operating said cam, and means automatically operated for locking said lever.

11. In a combined switch stand and signal, the combination with a casting formed with a casing, of an oscillating cam formed with two separate spirally disposed grooves, mounted within the casing, means fitted to the cam grooves within the casing and operated by said cam for actuating a switch and signal, a lever for oscillating said cam, and means comprising acasting having a weighted yoke latch member pivotally seourcd to the upper end of the casting at one side thereof for locking said lever in its thrown position.

HARRY C. ODENKIRK. 

